Virat Kohli, one of India’s top cricketers, surprised everyone by stepping back from Test cricket just before the England tour. Fans and experts were left wondering why he made this choice, especially after all he did to bring excitement back to the format. Ravi Shastri, former India coach and someone who’s known Kohli well, offered his thoughts on what might have influenced his decision.
In his column for Sportstar, Shastri noted that he believed Kohli still had a couple more years of Test cricket left in him. He thought it would have been a good move to make him captain for the England tour. Shastri speculated that mental fatigue might have played a role in Kohli’s decision, even though he was fit like the rest of the team. He knows his body best, but the mind could have been the main factor, Shastri said. He didn’t rule out burnout as a possible reason for Kohli stepping back at this crucial time for Indian cricket.
Shastri described Kohli as the most influential cricketer of the last decade. He had fans all over, especially those who showed up to see him shine in Test matches. He could hit boundaries at will and knew how to take on the toughest bowlers, Shastri added. Kohli was often the center of attention and prepared to battle it out on the pitch. His ability to draw people to Test cricket is a legacy that will stick around.
He also said he was worried about Kohli’s future, mentioning that once the 36-year-old decided to stop playing, he’d likely walk away from the game entirely. He’s still playing ODIs, but I know he won’t stick around for coaching or broadcasting. I’ll really miss him when India plays their first Test in England. He was a champion, and I’ll always remember him for never backing down, Shastri concluded.
